Not every river yields twenty-inch trout with consistency. Especially in smaller waters, footlong fish are the norm. As contentment in fly fishing is subjective, trout like these are targeted and celebrated. It is for good reason that fly fishers love to use light line weights for these trout. 4-weights and under are preferred when angling …
When was the last time you tried a rod that was two or three weight designations lighter than your usual setup? Whether you fish in the salt, for warm water species, or trout, there are some legitimate reasons to downsize. In this episode I focus primarily on the true ultralight line weights – 2, 1, …
Sometimes in fly fishing, it’s just the getting out that matters. It can’t always be weekend trips, float planes, or grand vistas. It might rarely be plans. Except for the ongoing plan that you’ll go fishing when you can go fishing. To that end there is always a rod, a handful of flies, and a …
In my experience, short fly rods are perceived as “small rods for small water.” While there is truth in that, a sub-7′ rod does a lot more than just measure a few feet less than your normal fly rod. This episode, I share three things that I think anyone using a short fly rod should …
It was absolutely a leading question, because I wanted one. He had made dozens over the years. I had plenty of chances to buy them in the past. I had never pulled the trigger, but now I was ready. So I asked if he had any of the little fiberglass rods available. “Oh no,” he …
This is my favorite spot. It is my go-to, my sure-fire. I don’t believe in luck, but a man who does would call it his lucky spot. The fish I catch there with consistency reinforce this designation. I do pretty well. But having a favorite spot is more than catching big/lots of fish. When you …
Especially on the East Coast, things are so incredibly close. The places where you are miles from something are few and far between. With such a significant percentage of the country’s populating living a few hours from the major National Parks and Forests, there is a good chance that you’ll be sharing the backcountry most …
How often do you have more than fifteen feet of fly line out of the end of your rod? For most trout anglers, and virtually all saltwater fly fishers, the answer is always. You’re never that close to fish. Casts have to be 30 or 50 or 70 feet… if you’re lucky. After all, fly …
May it never be said that trout are the only species that demand fly fishing nuance. Whether it be due to location or preference, some anglers routinely pursue species like bass. Additionally, the waters they frequent aren’t the typical wide smallmouth rivers or vast largemouth lakes. Our nation is covered with small steams that contain …
Everyone catches small fish. For some, they are the pesky by-catch that must be dealt with and endured. For others, they are a safe, dependable source of fishing, fun, and food. Most anglers start by catching small fish, and all big fish start off being small fish. Under normal circumstances, an eight-inch fish isn’t anything …
